[You defeated: Virgast – Temple Guardian]
[Guardian Rank Up: A → S]
[Guardian Level: 200 → 250]
[Skills Enhanced: Fang of Deceit (Lv.4 → Lv.5) | Lapet's Pulse (Lv.3 → Lv.4)]
[User Level: 304 → 305]
[Reward: 2500 Eny | Bonus Points: 5]
Akito stepped closer just as Arden's body slumped to the ground.
The fox, drained from repeated use of Lapet's Pulse, had lost consciousness.
"You're not just cunning… you're ridiculously stubborn too," Akito smirked, slinging his Guardian over his shoulder.
Back at the apartment, Aurelía was already waiting.
"So, I'm the last one?" she asked with a gentle smile.
"Is he… dead?" Elian jumped up, seeing Akito lay Arden down on the couch.
"No, just knocked out," Akito replied calmly. "But he proved his worth."
"I always knew the bunny-eared one wasn't that strong," Kenshi muttered, slurping his noodles.
"Let's go, Aurelía. I'm already spent, but you're the last. I don't wanna postpone this."
In a flash — they were on another planet.
The sky was gray, but not gloomy. The grass and trees glowed with a soft blue hue, as if the world was bathed in gentle magic.
"Is this your home?" Akito asked, surprised.
"No… I have no idea where this is. But I can feel foreign energy up ahead."
They pushed through the brush and emerged onto a massive field.
Dozens of humanoids stood in formation, their skin bluish-gray.
Suddenly, they moved in perfect sync — one arm forward, the other near their head — golden orbs forming in their palms.
"I thought they were friendly…" Akito muttered, summoning his Chaos Blades.
"Wait," Aurelía stopped him. "Let me handle this one alone. You need rest."
She shot into the air —
[Skill Activated: Celestial Guard]
Five golden warriors appeared before Akito: a swordsman, a spearman, a shieldbearer, an archer, and a mage.
The shieldbearer instantly stepped forward, raising a towering three-meter shield to deflect the incoming barrage.
"Okay… that's broken," Akito whispered.
The warriors charged in. Precise strikes, lightning-fast movements.
Spears and blades tore through enemy flesh.
[Enemy Defeated (13/50)]
[Enemy Defeated (34/50)]
[Enemy Defeated (50/50)]
[Guardian Trial Complete]
[Guardian Rank Up: A → S]
[Guardian Level: 200 → 250]
[Skills Enhanced: Starfall Retribution (Lv.1 → Lv.2) | Astral Limit (Lv.1 → Lv.2) | Celestial Guard (Lv.1 → Lv.2)]
[User Level: 305 → 306]
[Reward: 2500 Eny | Bonus Points: 5]
[All Guardians have reached S-Rank]
[Special Trial unlocked — available for one Guardian]
[Time: 15:59:43]
"Perfect," Akito muttered — but his legs gave a slight wobble.
The archer caught him just in time, letting him lean on his shoulder.
"That's enough, Aurelía. Let's go back. I need mana. Badly."
She was probably S-Rank from the very beginning… Akito thought, watching her.
Honestly, she could've taken down Zalgrom on her own.
Back home, he gathered everyone.
"The system issued a new trial — but only one of you can take it.
And I'm not picking favorites. So… we skip it."
"What?!" Arden snapped, now fully cleaned up and holding a game controller.
"You serious?! We've all worked toward S-Rank!
If we've come this far… then let's decide it fairly. Tournament. Six fighters. Three duels. Winners go to semifinals. One gets a second chance — we vote for them."
"That sounds… awesome," Akito grinned. "And we'll set the arena in your Dimension."
"Foxboy, you genius!" Targus clapped. "Now I finally get to crush that samurai!"
"A tournament it is," Kenshi smirked. "I've been waiting for this."
Akito nodded:
"We'll begin as soon as I finish a few things."
He sat at the edge of the couch, pulled out his phone, and made a call.
A few rings — and then a familiar, slightly tired but still warm voice answered:
"…Hello?"
"Hey, Rei. Listen, I'm sorry for not calling… I wanted to. Look…
Can we meet tomorrow? I'll be at VIRIA anyway, and I want you to come with me."
"…Why?" Her voice turned cold, but beneath it was a hint of hurt.
"You don't even call back. You bail on plans."
"Rei… I get it. You're upset. But it was really urgent. I'll explain. Tomorrow. 2:45 PM. At the entrance to VIRIA. I'll be there."
Silence.
Then — a short beep. She hung up.
But at the same time, Rei smiled softly, eyes resting on her screen.
"Finally…"
"Okay, that's handled," Akito sighed, getting up. "Now… time to focus on myself.
I need to boost my Energy — now."
He opened the system menu and selected Profile:
[Player Profile: Akito Kurosawa]
Attack: 960
HP: 1100
Mana: 1267 / 48,000
Age: 18
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Skills:
Iron Will (Lv.3) | Victor (Lv.4) | Eye of Truth (Max) | Relentless (Lv.3) | Will of the One (Lv.1)
Stats:
Strength: 45 [+]
Speed: 60 [+]
Endurance: 55 [+]
Vitality: 50 [+]
Energy: 96 [+]
Bonus Points: 170
"…Whoa," Akito raised a brow.
"Seventy points felt great. One-seventy…? That's almost a second life."
He began distributing the points:
[+25 Strength] → Attack: 960 → 1460
[+5 Speed]
[+20 Vitality] → HP: 1100 → 1500
[+120 Energy] → Mana: 48,000 → 108,000
"Now this… this is serious. Enough to boost Guardians and techs."
He tapped the inventory tab.
Inventory:
• Cryoz Sword
• Chaos Blades
• 285,500 Eny
"I'll sell Cryoz later. Doesn't hit the same anymore.
And if things go well with VIRIA, I'll get another payment.
If I'm lucky — I can finally get my own apartment."
He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes.
"That's it. Time to begin… the Guardian Tournament."
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!